Anyone had this problem ?? - Auto Gearbox...

[Darren]

Took my Dads 75 for a short run today as he told me it was playing up the other day and indeed it is. It is a 2.5 Con SE Auto with 70k on the clock. Basically the gearchanges are very very fierce and are not 'slurred' at all as normal. It is changing with a bit of a bang and feels as though prolonged use like this could cause damage. Could it be due to the low temperature? The outside air temp display showed zero centigrade the whole time I drove it. The engine is getting almost up to normal operating temp but not quite - again due to the outside temp. The maintenance has always been kept up on with regular oil changes, anti freeze, belts etc etc BUT the box has to my knowledge had no attention so..... could that be the cause? Should it have had a fluid change? Does it have a filter as well? Oh by the way it's a 2000 on a W plate.

Thank you in advance for any ideas & advice, Darren

[FLYER]

all else apart the fluid (ATF) should have been changed at 60k.

[Darren]

Is it a straightforward change? They don't have a dipstick on these to check level when refilling do they ? I will get some fluid and look at changing it. My Dad has a Haynes manual for the car so this should give me some pointers for drain plug and filler plug. Do you think that old fluid (this is most likely the original fluid and therefore at least 12 years old) could be the cause of these symptoms?

[gaz7560]

I had exactly the same problem, changed the gearbox oil and it was back to smooth changes. I had the oil changed by Lates as the oil has to be warmed to a certain temperature before it can be changed.

Here is the how to

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto

[oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Darren

Is it a straightforward change? They don't have a dipstick on these to check level when refilling do they ? I will get some fluid and look at changing it. My Dad has a Haynes manual for the car so this should give me some pointers for drain plug and filler plug. Do you think that old fluid (this is most likely the original fluid and therefore at least 12 years old) could be the cause of these symptoms?

Definitely not straight forward, special fluid at a specific temperature, and if you remove the wrong plug your gearbox will need to come out to fix it.
There is a how to on the forum, either read it carefully before commencing any work or entrust it to one of the guys on the forum who knows what their doing.

[Darren]

Ok, that is interesting. Just glad that someone else has experienced this odd behaviour. I will look into getting the car to Lates and seeing if they can change it for me - bit of a trek but worth it as I don't fancy messing that job up and having to take the 'box off ! Out of curiosity Gaz did your one behave better when the outside air temp increased ? That way I can wait a few days and drive it to Lates once things warm up as the changes are so severe at present that I'm concerned about doing any harm at the moment.

Thanks again!

Darren

[wuzerk]

The auto oil change must be done properly. The drain plug is on the bottom
THE OIL LEVEL PLUG IS ALSO ON THE BOTTOM. Do not undo anything on the sides of the box. The box holds 8 litres of fluid but you can only drain about four litres so, with your neglected fluid you should drain and refill, run the car for a few miles and then drain and refill again. That way you will have changed 75% of the fluid. There are various 'How To s' if you do a search on here. The level checking plug is a recessed 5mm Allen key socket and you check the level,after about a ten mile run, by starting the engine, putting the selector through all positions and then, in neutral with engine still running undo the plug and leave until no more fluid runs out. The fluid is obtainable from Rimmer Brothers amongst others in 5 litre containers and is JF403E which is their name for it. All things being equal you will drain around four litres at each attempt so replace with that amount and then check the level properly.

Having said all that your mileage of 70K is not excessively over the 60k change mileage so your lower engine mount may have expired (easy) or you could have solonoid trouble.

[FLYER]

really a job for a specialist place , if you do it yourself you can only get 4 litres out at a time , this means doing it twice .
Also the early jatco boxes are prone to a cracked reverse piston which can cause all manner of faults.

[gaz7560]

Originally Posted by Darren

Ok, that is interesting. Just glad that someone else has experienced this odd behaviour. I will look into getting the car to Lates and seeing if they can change it for me - bit of a trek but worth it as I don't fancy messing that job up and having to take the 'box off ! Out of curiosity Gaz did your one behave better when the outside air temp increased ? That way I can wait a few days and drive it to Lates once things warm up as the changes are so severe at present that I'm concerned about doing any harm at the moment.

Thanks again!

Darren

No it was the same no matter what the temperature outside. My car is a X reg , and had about 70000 miles when mine started. You my find someone closer to do it. I thought my gearbox had gone!!!!

[gaz7560]

Originally Posted by wuzerk

The auto oil change must be done properly. The drain plug is on the bottom
THE OIL LEVEL PLUG IS ALSO ON THE BOTTOM. Do not undo anything on the sides of the box. The box holds 8 litres of fluid but you can only drain about four litres so, with your neglected fluid you should drain and refill, run the car for a few miles and then drain and refill again. That way you will have changed 75% of the fluid. There are various 'How To s' if you do a search on here. The level checking plug is a recessed 5mm Allen key socket and you check the level,after about a ten mile run, by starting the engine, putting the selector through all positions and then, in neutral with engine still running undo the plug and leave until no more fluid runs out. The fluid is obtainable from Rimmer Brothers amongst others in 5 litre containers and is JF403E which is their name for it. All things being equal you will drain around four litres at each attempt so replace with that amount and then check the level properly.

That is interesting will get mine done again in that case,